This section is ALL expert advice. I have a list of cloth nappy retailers with over 100 Australian and New Zealand Cloth Nappy Shops represented. Several times a year I ask a series of questions and they respond to whichever they are best able to answer, depending on their available time. It is always a different selection who are able to contribute their expertise, which keeps the information fresh and evolving.

These mini-interviews are then collated bu me into these informative articles which are published over the year. All link the the shops of the contributors so you can check out their range – if you like what they have to so, support them by a visit and check out their range. All are mums who have or are using modern cloth nappies with their babies.

Let’s Meet Kelly from Pepper Place:

Hi! My name is Kelly and I live in Tasmania (currently…..we move quite a bit!). I have a husband and five kids between 8 and 3. That’s their ages, not the only time in the day that I have them-so life is busy, but that’s just the way I like it. Something about me? I’m always experimenting with things. I always need a challenge, either in my hobbies (sewing, crochet, gardening, cooking) to our lifestyle (like living off-grid recently for 18 months, then travelling in a tent for nine months). The current (and long-term ongoing) project is increasing the amount of food we produce ourselves-recently adding meat, an interesting learning curve for former vegetarians.

About Pepper Place…

– My specialty is one-size nappies. I had my kids close, and had three kids in full-time nappies for a long time. I noticed there really wasn’t much difference in nappy sizes, and they all seemed to fit for much longer than the size recommendations, so after making sized fitteds to sell for a year or so I decided one-size was the way to go. Lots of others seem to share my view!
– I give discounts for people with a Carers Card. Kids with special needs usually need to spend longer in nappies-my son with special needs was in day nappies until 3 and continues to wear a night nappy at 6. When you need so much more every saving counts.
– I’ve recently started selling tie-dyed kids clothes after turning my kids into rainbows for the past four years-although there’s not many pictures up yet, they’ll keep coming as I love doing it.

Our Planet Matters!

Oh dear, I’m a rampant greenie, where do I start?! If I had to pick just one thing to stop, it would be our silly, greedy use of resources. We’re gobbling up all of our non-renewable resources at a truly mind-boggling rate, mostly on silly things that we don’t need that don’t improve our quality of life -and very few people are planning for what we’re all going to do when it starts to run out.

When you visit Pepper Place, make sure you have a look at:

3 of my favourite sites are:

1. Eden Seeds – as a keen gardener this is my favourite site to make orders from.
2. Milkwood Permaculture – I love what these guys do! From rocket stoves to inground aquaponics, there’s always something to get me thinking.
3. Auslan Signbank – with a partially deaf child Auslan was our natural choice for our home education second language…….and it’s so much fun!

A question from Kelly:

Meet Our Guests
– This is a regular feature of My Green Nappy in which family friendly sites are invited to contribute a post about their website. You’ll discover a bit about their ideas, specialties, what motivated their passion and what concerns them about the environment at the moment.Find out more about contributing a guest post…

Australian Cloth Nappies: Help! Don’t Know Where To Start? How About The Mini Stash…

How Part Time Cloth Nappies Saves Money and is an Easy Way to Convert From Disposables to the Modern Cloth Nappy…

Our Nappy Experts are invited to contribute to these cooperative questions so that you get a range of informative and experienced responses about the topic. Enjoy and discover something new, and share with us in the comment box below, or on facebook.

Let’s see what they have to say:

Modern Cloth Nappy Newbie Help! Don’t Know Where To Start? How About The Mini Stash…

Angie from Piggy Tails Nappies:

If you don’t know where to start…try one of everything! Cloth nappies work differently for different babies and you have to buy what suits you (not what has the highest rating score or what your sister bought). The only way you will find out what suits you is by trying one of each type of nappy.

If you are not sure what you need, we recommend that you purchase a package that has at least one of the following:

You might also want to purchase a wet bag for storing nappies when you are out and about.
See our “New to Cloth – One of Everything” pack in our Nappy Packages section of our website). Our pack has one of each of the above types of nappies in it. We have selected the best selling nappies from each category to take the guess work out of it for our customers.

Buying a pack from a retailer (rather than the manufacturer directly) is the best way to go as you will save on postage because you can buy all the nappies in one spot. A retailer will also be able to provide you with unbiased opinions on what works for them and what sells best so having a chat to a retailer is also a good idea.

Just get 3 or 5 to start with, so you can use them all in one day, wash them that night, and they’re ready again tomorrow (go for quick to dry nappies, like pockets). You’ll get a good idea quicker if you have a full day in cloth.

I’m always happy to answer your questions personally, even if you use a different brand.

If you’re new to cloth nappies, then a mini stash is a great way to start. It gives you chance to build up your collection slowly, finding out what works for you and your baby, and means that you aren’t spending a lot of money all at once. Try out a few different styles and brands, maybe buying second hand to begin with, until you find what really works for you. Try using the nappies at home to begin with, and then build up to using them full time over time.

Melissa from Little Para Pants:

When my last baby was born we started out with disposables. After a week or two, I started using MCN just at home, during the day. When I ran out of the cloth nappies, I’d use disposables again until the cloth nappies were washed & dry. Slowly over time I was able to find enough time to sew more nappies till we had a big enough stash to switch over completely.

If you want easy I would go for an AI1 (all in one) or an AI2 (all in two) – that way you change the whole system when it comes to changing. Then you can move onto the other types out there once you are more aware of whats available.

Start by choosing a few different styles of nappies you think you’d be interested in using, trial packs are a great option for this. Once you have compiled a small stash of 6-8 nappies and given them a couple of pre-washes, allocate one day in your week to be a Cloth Day. 6-8 nappies should be enough for the day, and then you can wash that night.

If you don’t feel like 8 nappies is enough for a whole load of washing, give the nappies a good rinse and throw them in with your other washing, avoid using fabric softeners. You might like to continue doing this for a little while until you feel comfortable using cloth full time, or you may just want to use cloth when at home.

Once you have more experience using the nappies you have, you are able to confidently add more nappies to your stash using the styles & systems you prefer.

Nat and Amy from Little Diamond Bums (closed):

If switching to cloth a ‘mini stash’ is a great way to trial a few nappies styles to see which one you find yourself impatiently watching to dry so you can pop it back on your babies bottom. It is also a great way to ease yourself into using cloth nappies. Whether you start using them at home during the day and then when you’re feeling more confident using them out and about/ during the night, add more to your stash to go ‘full time’.

Jodi from MCN Lovers R Us:

Its great to try a mix of different brands and nappy styles but the best advice is shop to your budget. 5-10 nappies is a great place to start part time just to try things out. (Even if you decide to never go full time using 5-10 cloth nappies each week makes a difference.) Think about what is important to you in a nappy, do you want something that dries quickly, something that you won’t need to put together after washing before its ready to use, something made of all natural fibres, something to fit for a long time? Talk to other nappy users and get their opinions of what works for them and an explanation of whats what in the nappy world – there are heaps of pages online where you can connect to the nappy community, I know because I run one of them! The nappy world can be a little confusing but its also a pretty friendly place and all MCN lovers/users love to share the love of cloth!

Erin from Rascal Rumps:

Using cloth doesn’t have to be all or nothing, you can use a combination of cloth and disposable. Starting with a mini stash will mean you have less outlay in the beginning and you can get a feel for whether cloth nappying is something that you can be comfortable with.

– Our Nappy Experts –

Discover Expert Advice About The Modern Cloth Nappy – Information About Modern Cloth Nappies – Advice About Frequently Asked Cloth ‘Newbie’ Questions – Lots of Tips and Tricks to Help You With Your Reusable Nappies – Learn From the Experts in Cloth Nappies –

Damaging Your Washable Modern Cloth Nappy – How NOT to!

Knowing How Washable Nappies Are Damaged Will Help You Avoid This Pitfall And Extend The Life (And Savings) Offered By Using MCN…

Our Nappy Experts are invited to contribute to these cooperative questions so that you get a range of informative and experienced responses about the topic. Enjoy and discover something new, and share with us in the comment box below.

Let’s see what our nappy experts have to share with us about our MCN topic: How do I damage a modern cloth nappy?

How you wash your nappies can affect them. Do not use bleach, napisan or fabric softeners. The way nappies are hung on the line can also damage the elastic. Place them flat or drape them over the line sideways to prevent pressure being put on the elastic and if you are using a nappy rash cream make sure you use a liner.

Melissa from Little Para Pants recommends:

Lots of ways. If you leave it in the wet bag/bucket too long, it can grow mould. Using vinegar in the wash will eat away the elastic and possibly delaminate PUL. If you use a Snappi on a non-Snappi-able nappy, you’ll get holes, runs, or leaks.

Charndra from Part Time Nappy Free recommends:

I have had then come out grey after something new went in the wash with them, turning EVERYTHING grey, sigh. The first time a new night nappy was used, hubby washed it, without turning it inside out – so, sigh, pilling, no more of that pristine beauty of a new nappy, just like that – BAM! What do I recommend? A tip one mum left on the blog here was to put a capful of disinfectant in with the pre-rinse. Good tip that I always do now.

Nyree from Kodomo recommends:

Using zinc & petroleum based nappy creams can affect the fibres of MCNs and reduce their absorbency. Be sure to use a liners (either flushable or microfleece if you must use a chemical-based nappy rash cream). Over use of the dryer on your nappies can deteriorate elastic and PUL, so keep dryer time to a minimum. Leaving wet nappies in a bucket for too long isn’t a good idea either, try to wash every second day if possible. Speaking of buckets, don’t soak your nappies in bleach, it can destroy the fabric of your nappies and this too will reduce their absorbency. Dry pailing is best!

– Our Nappy Experts –
Discover Expert Advice About The Modern Cloth Nappy – Information About Modern Cloth Nappies – Advice About Frequently Asked Cloth ‘Newbie’ Questions – Lots of Tips and Tricks to Help You With Your Reusable Nappies – Learn From the Experts in Cloth Nappies –

Looking for Australian Cloth Nappy Shops? Where to Shop for Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia

There are various Reusable Cloth Nappies available in Australia. Modern Cloth Nappies really are easily washable, reusable, stylish, pretty, environmentally friendly and simply cute to wear as well as soft and chemical free around the bottom of your baby.

From WAHM made, customised, personalised nappies, to nappies made with tried and tested licensed designs, through to retailers offering commercially made modern nappies that have been around long enough, and are popular enough to have been commercially produced.

Organic Goodness: What are the Benefits of Organic or Unbleached Cloth Nappies?

Organic – this brings to mind the idea of less chemicals, a reduced ecological impact over regular farming and manufacturing processes, and thoughts about sensitive baby skin.

When looking around at the sort of reusable cloth nappies you want to buy for your baby, you’ll see a lot of shops will offer you information and products that are organic, unbleached or ‘natural’. What does this mean when it comes to non disposable nappies?

Our Nappy Experts are invited to contribute to these cooperative questions so that you get a range of informative and experienced responses about the topic. Enjoy and discover something new, and share with us in the comment box below.

Let’s see what they have to say:

Why do mums choose organic, unbleached or natural nappies?

People are much more aware now about environmental issues and doing things that damage the environment unnecessarily. Most people are more than happy to have unbleached nappies because it uses less chemicals during manufacture and doesn’t make any difference to how the nappy works. I think people are also less inclined to bleach unbleached nappies during washing because they are not trying to maintain the pristine white of when they were new. Organic Cotton is also a wonderful product – not only are there less chemicals used in it’s growing/manufacture, there are less chemical residues in the fibres that sit next to your baby’s skin.

Rebecca from Bean Sprout Bubba:

Because a young infant’s skin is thinner than an adult, so any residues from manufacturing regular fabric may enter the baby’s system through their skin. Organic fabric are minimally processed so they have less chemical residues, are usually softer and more absorbent than their regularly processed counterparts.

A lot of mums choose organic nappies just so they know there are no chemicals coming in contact with their babies skin, this is especially important for bubs with sensitive skin or eczema who may react to bleaches, dies or plastics in other nappies. Others like knowing that their nappies are more environmentally sensitive with no pesticides used in the production of the materials.

Some babies can have sensitivities to the man made fibres. Some people just prefer to be organic. For different reasons people prefer difference fabrics. For me it was a matter of testing out the different fabrics on the market to see what worked best for me and my children.

I know that I would rather have only ‘natural’ fibres close to my bubba’s bum. Most mcn’s are made with bamboo which doesn’t use much water to grow, although the microfibre alternative dries in no time and is comfy on bubba’s bum, and they are just as safe.

Laura from the Cloth Nappy Co:

Your precious baby has delicate skin and that skin deserves the best! Organic nappies ensure that your baby is not affected by harsh chemicals and they reduce the risk of nappy rash and eczema. When you know that no regular disposable nappy ever made has broken down, you realise what a terrible impact they are to our planet. In this day and age of information and technology, we are well-informed enough to know what is happening in the world and this is an issue that needs to be addressed. We have a responsibility to our earth to protect it and to do our part to preserve it for our children and our children’s children.

– Our Nappy Experts –

Discover Expert Advice About The Modern Cloth Nappy – Information About Modern Cloth Nappies – Advice About Frequently Asked Cloth ‘Newbie’ Questions – Lots of Tips and Tricks to Help You With Your Reusable Nappies – Learn From the Experts in Cloth Nappies –

Looking for Australian Cloth Nappy Shops? Where to Shop for Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia

There are lots of Reusable Cloth Nappies available in Australia. Australian Cloth Nappies are washable, reusable, stylish, pretty, environmentally friendly and simply cute to look at as well as soft and chemical free on the bottom of your baby.

From WAHM made, customised, personalised nappies, to nappies made with tried and tested licensed designs, through to retailers offering commercially made modern nappies that have been around long enough, and are popular enough to have been commercially produced.

Wet Bags are wonderful! Why do Mums like wet bags?

Wetbags are simply a bag that is used to transport either dry or wet nappies. They contain any odours, wetness and can actually be used for many different purposes, not just nappies!

Our Nappy Experts are invited to contribute to these cooperative questions so that you get a range of informative and experienced responses about the topic. Enjoy and discover something new, and share with us in the comment box below.

Let’s see what they have to say:

Wet Bags are wonderful! Why do Mums like wet bags?

Rebecca from Bean Sprout Bubba:

– Wet bags are washable and can hold moisture and smells in.

– They come in various colours and prints.

– After baby out grows nappies, the wet bag can be used to hold clothing, swim gear, beach gear… anything you like really!

Wet bags are a necessity, and certainly one I couldn’t live without! Take them out with you to hold dirty nappies, wipes, bibs and washers; use them to hold cloth baby wipes to keep them damp while you’re out; use them to hold the wrappers and leftovers from lunch and snacks when there are no bins handy; or take them to the pool to hold swimmers and towels with no leaks.

Look for bags with sealed seams to help prevent leaks, and I find zip or velcro closures are best to contain smells.

Wet bags really are fantastic (I didn’t have one for my first baby – sob!). Use them for you dirty nappies when you are out and about sure, but there are a million other uses. Basically, anytime you would have used an old supermarket shopping bag you can use a wetbag instead – wet/dirty clothes from the park, food or drinks that might spill (maybe not the same bag you use for your dirty nappies!) and my personal favourite is to get a large size and use it as a swimming bag. This is one nappying item you will not be wondering what to do with when your baby outgrows nappies.

You can never have too many wetbags! Great for travelling so you don’t need to lug a plastic bucket. Great for taking to the pool to keep, make up and the most important great for keeping stinkies enclosed!

Great for keeping re-usable wipes in, containing wet nappies, they are great for swimmers, wet knickers (during TT), make up bags, the list is endless, you just can’t go without them.

Laura from the Cloth Nappy Co:

Wet bags are not only brilliant for locking away nasty smells, but they can also be used for all sorts of things. We stock a range from handbag size to larger sizing for long days out. Use it for storing your baby’s dirty bibs or clothes, wet baby wipes, damp towels/washers, swimmers – the uses are endless! Plus, with their chic designs and colours, having a wet bag can help start a conversation to promote cloth nappies.

Discover Expert Advice About The Modern Cloth Nappy – Information About Modern Cloth Nappies – Advice About Frequently Asked Cloth ‘Newbie’ Questions – Lots of Tips and Tricks to Help You With Your Reusable Nappies – Learn From the Experts in Cloth Nappies –

Looking for Australian Cloth Nappy Shops? Where to Shop for Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia

Buying Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia is easy. Australian Cloth Nappies are easy on your budget when compared with the constant drain of the cost of disposable nappies each week. They are far more environmentally friendly and are very cute and stylish as well as a fashion statement. Join the popular trend of having at least one reusable cloth nappy for your baby!

From WAHM made, customised, personalised nappies, to nappies made with tried and tested licensed designs, through to retailers offering commercially made modern nappies that have been around long enough, and are popular enough to have been commercially produced.

Looking for Australian Cloth Nappy Shops? Where to Shop for Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia

There are now so many places you can purchase Modern Cloth Nappies in Australia from the ease of your home computer. Australian Cloth Nappies are generally easier on your budget in comparison to the constant drain of disposable nappies that are only used once then thrown away. They are far more green and are very cute and stylish and a fashion statement. Join the popular trend of having a minumum of one reusable cloth nappy for your baby!

From WAHM made, customised, personalised nappies, to nappies made with tried and tested licensed designs, through to retailers offering commercially made modern nappies that have been around long enough, and are popular enough to have been commercially produced.